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September 2012 Archives

Tuesday September 25, 2012

This week on the Performance Hour 2 time Juno Award winning pianist and composer David Braid. Hailed by McLeans Magazine as "A Jazz Genius to call our own" Braid's music is lyrical, his playing impeccable and his inventive approach to the instrument inspiring.
Recently awarded Jazz Pianist of the Year in Canada, Braid is also a recipient of SOCAN Composer of the Year, recognizing his output of over eighty works including compositions for solo piano, jazz ensembles, chamber ensembles, and symphony orchestras. He has released nine recordings, garnering six Juno nominations and two Juno awards; he is also a multi-National Jazz Award Winner and a recipient of the Canada Council for the Arts' "JazzID Award.
David Braid was recorded at the D.F Cook Recital Hall in St. John's on a stop during his international touring schedule.

Monday September 17, 2012

St. John's can proudly boast one of the most vibrant and robust music scenes in all of Canada. This week The Performance Hour presents Sessions In The Old Town Vol 2. It's the Radio mix of our CBC TV special featuring three of the hottest acts to have come out of the old town in years. We'll hear some fantastic live studio recordings and interviews with host Tom Power featuring award winning singer songwriter Andrew James O'Brien, jazz composer and multi instrumentalist Patrick Boyle with his Quartet and the hot young trad pop group Ashelin.

Monday September 10, 2012

Almost Forty years have passed since Alan Doyle stood on the bridge in his home town of Petty Harbour and became part of Newfoundland film history. The holywood produced movie "Whale For The Killing" was shot there in the summer of 1980 and for his role Alan received the credit "Boy On Bridge". Fast forward into the next century and Alan Doyle is now a major player in Canada's music scene. Known mainly as the front man with platinum selling trad rockers Great Big Sea, Alan has just released his first solo recording aptly titled "Boy On Bridge".

Although the CD is a solo effort he says "It may be the most collaborative project I've ever done. I just thought it would be cool to write a bunch of songs with some people I really wanted to work with and I had a blast." That blast came from the likes of Gordie Samson, Hawsley Workman and Russell Crowe.

The album was recorded all over North American from studios in Nashville, LA and Toronto to his own basement in St. John's. "I wanted to create the music where we all felt comfortable and that took us to some pretty interesting places"

CBC Radio was at Club One in St. John's for the final night of Alan's "Boy On Bridge" tour.This exclusive recording can be heard this Saturday on the Performance Hour.

Monday September 3, 2012

Though he emerged just a couple of years ago, Matthew Byrneranks as one of the finest singers in contemporary Newfoundland folk music. Born into a family of music makers from Placentia Bay his repertoire is heavily influenced by this unique singing tradition. It is a tradition that thrives on the song - the weaving of a great story with a beautiful melody - and Matthew's music reminds us how satisfying traditional songs can be when stripped down to these basic elements.

In this live concert recording at a sold out LSPU Hall in St. John's Matthew presents tasteful and honest interpretations of folk music delivered with polished guitar work and powerful vocals. He is joined by his Dardanelles band mates Emilia Bartellas and Aaron Collis, his brother Alan, Billy Sutton and Geraldine Hollett.